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Laramie Movie Scope: Freejack

Interesting dystopian sci-fi adventure

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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January 22, 1992 -- ``Freejack'' is a science fiction film with above average special effects, an interesting story, but below-average performances by the actors.

The film starts out in the present and then blasts off into a depressing future (is Star Trek the only film that shows a future not infested by scruffy, disease-ridden, rat-eating hoboes?) where healthy accident victims from the past are hijacked into the future for use by unscrupulous industrialists.

These wealthy people can achieve a sort of immortality by wiping clean the minds of their victims (called a Freejack) and replacing them electronically with their own minds. People from the past are valued because some of them are disease and drug free.

Science fiction fans may remember this type of plot from another film called ``Millenium,'' but ``Freejack'' is a superior film (that's not saying much). The special effects are dazzling in this film and there is some good stunt work. One of the car chase scenes is reminiscent of ``Road Warrior.''

The story, however, suffers from some logical flaws and the primary star, Emilio Estevez, seems to be sleepwalking in his role. It's like he was given an operation and somebody cut out his charisma. He is out-acted in the film by everyone, including Mick Jagger, who makes a rare screen appearance here and Rene Russo. Anthony Hopkins, a very hot property after his outstanding work in ``The Silence of the Lambs,'' is given star billing in hopes of bolstering the box office appeal of the film, but really has only a cameo role in the movie.

This is not a bad film, but it could have been much better with a more energetic performance from Estevez and a tighter plot. It rates a C.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)